Optimum design of low-noise lower sideband parametric up-converters

An analysis has been carried out on a lower sideband parametric up-converter to determine the values of the source and load resistances and frequency ratio giving minimum noise figure at a specified value of gain. A similar analysis has been conducted for maximum gain-bandwidth product. The design requirements for minimum noise figure are found to differ from those for maximum gain-bandwidth product. A study is made of the effect of variation in the design parameter values on noise figure and bandwidth, from which it is concluded that maximum gain-bandwidth design is generally to be preferred for cases where both low noise figure and wide bandwidth are important.